Second Life is a virtual 3D world where people can create avatars and interact with each other and the environment. I still remember back in 1998/1999 when I joined up with a similar chat service called “The Palace”, in which you would roam an online world with a personal avatar. The idea behind Second Life is nothing new, but finally the technology is available to create an open source world that anyone can enjoy without having to pay or complete tasks and quests (Like World of Warcraft and Everquest). Second Life is essentially an adult video game. A few weeks ago I was watching MTV’s “True Life” and it was about people who spend more time in their Second Life because of everything you can be without fear of judgment and consequence.

Second Life is unique because it allows you to purchase in game credits and use those credits towards items within the Second Life world. You can buy anything from a pet, to a house, to a waterbed. You can recreate you real life or start all over and be who or whatever you want to be. (the avatars range from robots, to vampires, to people) One problem is that people can become obsessed with their Second Life’s, just how kids and teens get obsessed with playing their favorite video game. Another issue with Second Life is the fact that it is a “cyber Sex” Mecca, and a lot of the people using the service are there for that.  My first email from Second Life was welcoming me to the community and the second email was about changing my setting to 18+ so I could see and interact with explicit and erotic content….To me Second Life seems like a place for adults to play, since video games are too advanced and traditional social media too disconnected.

When I signed up, I picked a human male avatar with blonde hair. (I think I am going to switch to a robot or maybe a covered wagon… I’ve always wanted to be a covered wagon.) His name is MasterMikeDizzle and he is wearing a suit, without the undershirt, so I can show off my Second Life buff-ness.  I didn’t spend too much time with it because honestly I do not see the point. I will play a RPG or first person shooter video game before I waste time pretending on Second Life. Once the technology becomes available to project 3D, and actually put you in the environment, I will look again and see what Second Life is about.